AZ Travels the World
Apr 7, 08, 4:43 pm
In today's Arizona Republic:
Posh Mary Elaine's serves its last supper
Steakhouse to replace restaurant at Phoenician
Jaimee Rose
The Arizona Republic
On the last twinkling night in the foie-gras-studded era of Mary Elaine's, the Valley's most illustrious restaurant for nearly 20 years, the pianist played Over the Rainbow at sunset, and the whole room seemed to sigh.
The manager talked about how he would never get to wear his tuxedo again. The wait-staff captain shook his head and muttered something about McDonald's. Chef Frank Belosic planned to abscond with one of the purse stools.
Saturday marked the end of the restaurant and the finale to a more elegant way of life, when handbags and dinner, too, belonged on a pedestal.
For almost two decades, in a chandelier-covered room, the staff of Mary Elaine's poured lobster bisque and Krug champagne until feet no longer touched the floor. (More here.) (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0407maryelaines07a1.html)
Phoenician evolving to new style of luxury
by Jaimee Rose
The Arizona Republic
Big changes are afoot at the Phoenician: the luxe Valley resort is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a $70 million makeover that includes two new restaurants and a $40 million ballroom nestled up to Camelback Mountain.
The aim: dress things down, just a little bit.
In today's fast-paced, high-stress world, luxury consumers are after a different kind of coddling, says managing director Mark Vinciguerra.
"If you went back 20 years, luxury meant something had to be expensive, it had to be formal, or something you couldn't experience on a frequent basis," Vinciguerra says.
Now, luxury means a more modern look, sumptuous coziness and steakhouses with views. (More here.) (http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/04/07/20080407maryelaines07a1side.html)
Posh Mary Elaine's serves its last supper
Steakhouse to replace restaurant at Phoenician
Jaimee Rose
The Arizona Republic
On the last twinkling night in the foie-gras-studded era of Mary Elaine's, the Valley's most illustrious restaurant for nearly 20 years, the pianist played Over the Rainbow at sunset, and the whole room seemed to sigh.
The manager talked about how he would never get to wear his tuxedo again. The wait-staff captain shook his head and muttered something about McDonald's. Chef Frank Belosic planned to abscond with one of the purse stools.
Saturday marked the end of the restaurant and the finale to a more elegant way of life, when handbags and dinner, too, belonged on a pedestal.
For almost two decades, in a chandelier-covered room, the staff of Mary Elaine's poured lobster bisque and Krug champagne until feet no longer touched the floor. (More here.) (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0407maryelaines07a1.html)
Phoenician evolving to new style of luxury
by Jaimee Rose
The Arizona Republic
Big changes are afoot at the Phoenician: the luxe Valley resort is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a $70 million makeover that includes two new restaurants and a $40 million ballroom nestled up to Camelback Mountain.
The aim: dress things down, just a little bit.
In today's fast-paced, high-stress world, luxury consumers are after a different kind of coddling, says managing director Mark Vinciguerra.
"If you went back 20 years, luxury meant something had to be expensive, it had to be formal, or something you couldn't experience on a frequent basis," Vinciguerra says.
Now, luxury means a more modern look, sumptuous coziness and steakhouses with views. (More here.) (http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/04/07/20080407maryelaines07a1side.html)